Sunday 8/31/25
On Sundays I reflect.
I didn’t drink alcohol this week.
I’m listening to mostly Drum n’ Bass these days, with some other stuff sprinkled in. I’ve been in a rabbit hole of UK Drill, Grime, and emcees over DNB that really hits the spot for me.
We went to the woods for Lindsey’s birthday. A bunch of us ended up eating and celebrating and dancing in a hut at the top of a dirt road off Vail Pass. It was nice to unplug for a few hours, and of course celebrate Linds.
I’ve finally got shelving at the new house and a dresser coming this week. Unpacking has finally mostly happened. I’m approaching being settled in.
Driving has slowed down a bit, so I’ve been prepping the studio for our upcoming artist residency. I got on the torch after a bit of a hiatus.
After the residency I’ll be back in Miami for some time with my family. It’s starting to feel like a second home down there. It’s been a good spot for me to clear my head and get out of my routine a bit.
Fall is almost here. The temperature is dropping at night and in the morning, and the colors will start turning soon. It’s hard to imagine winter is right around the corner, again.
Sometimes I feel the pull to share something that is deeply profound here. Sometimes I just recant my week. It feels good to be writing again, regardless of what comes out.
I know I have friends who read this blog, along with my family. Every now and then someone from another era pops up to tell me they’re tuned in. I hear from childhood friends, teachers and professors. I hear from family friends who watched me grow up. It’s a real privilege to share this journey I’m on with all of you. Somehow I’m 35 and still maintain a very non traditional lifestyle. I think as a child it was impressed on me that this, or any other non conformist lifestyle would not work in the construct of our society.
I’ve got some debt I’m dealing with. I’ve also still got some growing up to do. I’ve certainly got some art to make. For me, story telling is a big part of all of this.
Sometimes acquiring art isn’t as much about the object, as it is about the story behind the object and the maker. Sometimes buying a piece of art is a way of helping an artist begin a new chapter.
I basically haven’t acquired any art since last summer when I added Scout Zabinski to my collection. My collection of more than 200 pieces of art is currently in storage at a friend’s. It occupies a large closet for the time being. The one piece I brought to my new room is an artist print of Jen Stark’s rainbow drip. I haven’t hung it yet. The piece has been centering for me since she traded it to me many years ago. It’s been what I wake up to, between two windows looking out at the vast mountains.
I’m thrilled to be bringing Jen, Eusheen, Ubatuba, Ian and Matty B together in my studio in just over a week for a collaborative session. We have some plans and prep already, but the truth is none of us know what will come out of this residency.
Jen is a multi media artist who recently got in the hot shop during a class at pilchuck she attended. Previously, she had done a collaboration with Judson Studios which brought us her first glass release which was a fused piece edition of 50. I acquired two of those, one for myself and one for my partners Seth and Michelle.
After getting in the hot shop, Jen told me she was obsessed with glass and so I invited her to come explore flame working in the mountains.
During our week together, our team of all star artists will guide Jen through an exploration of borosilicate flame working in which she will get to attempt to create her iconic imagery through the torch. In addition, we will be creating our own renderings of Jen’s work utilizing a range of techniques ranging from frit, millie, disc flips and more. These components will be integrated into marbles and pendants as well as of course cups.
As I mentioned earlier, none of us really know what will come from these sessions despite having a loose plan. We are all open to allowing things to unfold as they will. I truly believe this is where the magic of creating art lies.
When I was a kid I was a musician before I found glass. I would play guitar and bass for hours. I always preferred improvisation with a band to any other style. Something about the interplay between us was far more rewarding to me than writing music alone, which I also did quite a bit of.
It is truly an honor to be hosting some of my favorite artists. I am full of excitement to see what we can produce together. I am even more excited to be a part of the process, and I’ll do my best to share some of that with you along the way.
Also, a special thanks to Northstar Glass for sponsoring this residency. We so appreciate your support!
Now it’s time for me to get going with my Sunday, and for the first week in a long time I have no idea what that’s even going to look like. I appreciate you tuning in again, and eagerly look forward to what’s ahead.
Enjoy your Sunday,
BB
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